Synonyms of ascetic

ascetic 1 of 2

adjective

variants also ascetical

as in monastic

formal relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids physical pleasure

He committed to having an ascetic existence during his rehab.

an ascetic diet of rice and beans

Synonyms & Similar Words

• monastic
• authoritarian
• exacting
• unrelenting
• adamant
• monkish
• rigorous
• hard
• strict
• austere
• demanding
• tough
• rigid
• stern
• severe
• harsh
• relentless
• flinty
• uncompromising
• pitiless
• merciless
• unforgiving
• uncharitable
• unbending
• implacable
• hard-line
• steadfast
• ramrod
• hardened
• callous
• inflexible
• heavy-handed
• unyielding
• immovable
• dour
• adamantine
• ossified
• unsparing
• gruff
• stiff
• hard-hearted
• unflinching
• rock-ribbed
• obstinate
• chaste
• celibate
• determined
• resolved
• bullying
• single-minded
• intractable
• dogged
• disciplined
• firm
• browbeating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• easygoing
• patient
• charitable
• mild
• kind
• merciful
• undemanding
• soft
• accepting
• laid-back
• willing
• yielding
• responsive
• softhearted
• agreeable
• flexible
• gentle
• amenable
• acquiescent
• indulgent
• compromising
• compliant
• complaisant
• lenient
• pliable
• lax
• pliant
• tolerant
• forbearing
• clement

ascetic

2 of 2

noun

as in prude

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prude
• straight arrow
• fuddy-duddy
• killjoy
• wet blanket
• spoilsport

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sensualist
• hedonist
• voluptuary
• Epicurean
• debauchee
• sybarite
• glutton
• epicure
• decadent
• Cyrenaic
• gourmand
• bon vivant

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ascetic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ascetic are austere, severe, and stern. While all these words mean "given to or marked by strict discipline and firm restraint," ascetic implies abstention from pleasure and comfort or self-indulgence as spiritual discipline.

the ascetic life of the monks

When could austere be used to replace ascetic?

The words austere and ascetic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, austere stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling and may apply to rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial.

living an austere life in the country

When is it sensible to use severe instead of ascetic?

The synonyms severe and ascetic are sometimes interchangeable, but severe implies standards enforced without indulgence or laxity and may suggest harshness.

severe military discipline

Where would stern be a reasonable alternative to ascetic?

While in some cases nearly identical to ascetic, stern stresses inflexibility and inexorability of temper or character.

stern arbiters of public morality

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ascetic

Adjective

By the 18th century, the 13 major ascetic akharas, or sects of Hindu priests, played a central role in Kumbh Mela rituals. —Aakash Hassan, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jan. 2025

From afar, there’s certainly something of the guru or the ascetic about Martin, something highly therapized and slightly otherworldly. —Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024

Growing vegetables and seemingly delighted with the ascetic life, Orwell based himself in a bedroom of Barnhill to consider his life’s purpose and to write the most powerful and disturbing novel of the twentieth century, 1984. —Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 15 Nov. 2024

As a celibate ascetic, Ayyappan should be spared the tempting presence of fertile women—that is, women between menarche and menopause. —Deepa Das Acevedo, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2019

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